Having your intruder alarm serviced regularly offers several important benefits.
1. Reliable Performance: Regular servicing ensures that your intruder alarm system functions properly when you need it most. Advanced Overwatch Alarm Engineers can identify and address any issues or faults before they become major problems. It helps to maintain the system’s reliability and effectiveness in detecting and deterring intrusions.
2. Enhanced Security: An intruder alarm is a crucial component of your security infrastructure. By having it serviced, you can be confident that all sensors, detectors, control panels, and communication devices are in optimal working condition. This ensures that your alarm system responds promptly and accurately to any potential security breaches, minimising the risk of unauthorised access to your property.
3. System Longevity: Like any other electronic system, intruder alarms require regular maintenance to extend their lifespan. Servicing helps identify and resolve minor issues early on, preventing them from escalating into major failures. By keeping your system well-maintained, you can avoid costly repairs or premature replacements.
4. Compliance with Standards: BS 50131 and PD6662 and legal or insurance requirements regarding the maintenance and servicing of your intruder alarm system. Regular servicing ensures that your system meets these standards, helping you remain compliant with regulations and potentially reducing insurance premiums.
5. Peace of Mind: Knowing that your intruder alarm system is regularly serviced provides peace of mind. It instills confidence that your security measures are up to date and functioning optimally. This peace of mind is particularly important for homeowners, business owners, and individuals who travel frequently or have valuable assets to protect.
6. Professional Expertise: During a service visit, trained security Engineers can identify potential vulnerabilities in your security setup and provide expert advice on improving your overall security measures. They can suggest upgrades, additional features, or system adjustments to enhance the effectiveness of your intruder alarm system.
How often should I have an Alarm System serviced?
It is generally recommended to have your intruder alarm serviced at least once a year, although the specific frequency may vary depending on the system, manufacturer guidelines, and any legal or insurance requirements.
Advanced Overwatch ensure our customers remain compliant with Intruder Alarm Standards.
What Standards do I need to know about?
BS 50131 is a British Standard that specifies requirements for the design, installation, commissioning, and maintenance of intruder and hold-up alarm systems. It is commonly known as the “BS 50131 series” or the “British Standard for Intruder and Hold-up Alarm Systems.”
The BS 50131 series consists of several parts, each covering different aspects of intruder alarm systems. Here are some key parts of the standard:
1. BS 50131-1: This part provides an overview and general requirements for intruder and hold-up alarm systems. It covers topics such as system design, equipment selection, and system documentation.
2. BS 50131-2-x: These parts focus on specific types of intruder alarm equipment, such as control and indicating equipment (panel), detectors (including PIR, microwave, and acoustic), alarm transmission systems (e.g., signaling devices and communication protocols), and warning devices (e.g., sounders and beacons).
3. BS 50131-3: This part addresses the installation and configuration of intruder and hold-up alarm systems. It includes requirements for wiring, power supplies, and environmental considerations.
4. BS 50131-4: This part covers the commissioning and handover of intruder and hold-up alarm systems. It provides guidance on testing, verification, and documentation to ensure that the system operates correctly.
5. BS 50131-5-x: These parts focus on the maintenance and false alarm management of intruder alarm systems. They provide guidelines for system maintenance, including routine inspections, fault finding, and false alarm reduction measures.
With is BS 50131 important?
Compliance with BS 50131 is important for security system installers, monitoring companies, and end-users seeking reliable and effective intruder alarm systems. Adhering to the standard helps ensure that alarm systems are designed, installed, and maintained to a recognised industry standard, enhancing their reliability, effectiveness, and compatibility with other security systems.
PD6662
PD6662 is a British standard that provides recommendations for the design, installation, commissioning, and maintenance of intruder and hold-up alarm systems. It is titled “PD6662:2017 – Scheme for the application of European Standards for intruder and hold-up alarm systems.”
PD6662 serves as a guidance document that supports the implementation of European standards related to intruder alarm systems, specifically the series of standards known as EN 50131. The purpose of PD6662 is to ensure that intruder alarm systems in the UK are designed, installed, and maintained to a consistent and reliable standard.
Here are some key aspects of PD6662:
1. Alarm Grades: PD6662 introduces alarm grades, which categorize intruder alarm systems based on their level of security and performance. The grades range from Grade 1 (lowest risk) to Grade 4 (highest risk). The grading considers factors such as the nature of the premises, the value of the property being protected, and the potential risks involved.
2. System Components: PD6662 specifies requirements for various components of the intruder alarm system, including control panels, detectors, signaling devices, and communication equipment. It provides guidance on selecting appropriate equipment based on the required alarm grade.
3. Installation and Configuration: The standard outlines recommendations for the installation and configuration of intruder alarm systems. It covers aspects such as wiring, power supplies, system programming, and environmental considerations.
4. System Maintenance: PD6662 provides guidelines for the ongoing maintenance of intruder alarm systems. It includes recommendations for routine inspections, testing, fault finding, and false alarm reduction measures.
5. Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC): The standard addresses the interaction between the intruder alarm system and an Alarm Receiving Centre, which is a facility that receives and manages alarm signals. It provides recommendations for the transmission of alarm signals, monitoring procedures, and the response to alarm activations.
Compliance with PD6662 is often required by insurance companies, regulatory bodies, and industry associations in the UK. It ensures that intruder alarm systems meet recognized standards and best practices, enhancing their reliability, effectiveness, and compatibility with other security systems.